Cefotetan, a (7
S)-methoxy cephalosporin (cephamycin), is chemically synthesized form 7-MAC [
M2129]. The steric hindrance effect that is enhanced by introducing (7
S)-methoxy into the β-lactam ring significantly increases the stability of β-lactam antibiotics against β-lactamases, and to some extent reduces the problems of bacterial drug-resistance. Cefotetan has a broad spectrum of activity against Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria, and is generally more active against Gram-negative bacteria than the ‘first and second generation’ cephalosporins. Cefotetan is particularly active against
Enterobacter but has little activity against
Pseudomonas aeruginosa.